About Universal College of Learning (UCOL)

Established in 1902 to meet the skills required by New Zealand businesses, UCOL has strong community connections. We partner with local businesses to provide work experience for many of our students studying diplomas, degrees and postgraduate programmes to help an organisation meet their staffing needs, solve a problem or advance a project.

UCOL is a modern institute of technology and polytechnic with specialty in Applied Engineering and Trades, Health and Sciences, and Humanities and Business. Our environments have been designed to enhance student learning, supported by a relationships-based teaching approach that provides successful classroom experiences and imparts valuable life skills. Study with us to learn valuable skills and make a difference in your life.

UCOL is well known in its local communities and also draws students from far and wide. We have campuses in Palmerston North, Whanganui, Wairarapa and Levin.

We exist to inspire students, businesses and communities to succeed.

Why Choose Universal College of Learning (UCOL)

1. Over 100 years of excellence in education
Established in 1902 to meet the skills required by New Zealand businesses, UCOL has strong community connections.

Many international students choose UCOL to gain an internationally recognised qualification and work experience while they study. Recent international graduates rated UCOL highly for its small class sizes and teaching approach, and scored our accommodation and living costs favourably. (2017 International Student Barometer survey, Education New Zealand).

2. Easy access & located in central New Zealand
UCOL has campuses in the central New Zealand locations of Palmerston North, Whanganui, Wairarapa and Levin. International students choose to study at our Palmerston North and Whanganui campuses where we offer a full range of rewarding degree, postgraduate and English language study options.

3. Wide range of study options
UCOL is a modern institute of technology and polytechnic with specialty in Applied Engineering and Trades, Health and Sciences, and Humanities and Business. UCOL’s programmes are employer-centred and ever evolving to meet the economic and social needs of our communities.

4. Strong industry connections
We partner with local businesses to provide work experience for many of our students studying diplomas, degrees and postgraduate programmes to help an organisation meet their staffing needs, solve a problem or advance a project.

5. A safe & cost effective place to live
New Zealand is one of the most peaceful nations on earth ranking 4th out of 162 countries in the 2015 Global Peace Index.

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